What happens to velocity direction in uniform circular motion?

In uniform circular motion, the velocity direction constantly changes, always tangential to the path of motion.

In more detail, uniform circular motion refers to the motion of an object travelling along a circular path at a constant speed. While the speed remains constant, the direction of the velocity is continuously changing. This is because velocity is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (speed) and direction.

The direction of the velocity at any given point in the circular path is always tangential to the circle at that point. This means it is perpendicular to the radius drawn from the centre of the circle to that point. As the object moves, the direction of the radius changes, and so does the direction of the velocity. This constant change in velocity direction is what causes the object to move in a circular path.

Even though the speed of the object remains constant, this change in velocity direction means that the object is constantly accelerating. This acceleration is called centripetal acceleration and it is directed towards the centre of the circle. It's the force associated with this acceleration, the centripetal force, that keeps the object moving in a circular path.

In summary, in uniform circular motion, the object's speed remains constant but the direction of its velocity constantly changes, always being tangential to the path of motion. This constant change in velocity direction results in a centripetal acceleration towards the centre of the circle, causing the object to move in a circular path.